New Insights into the Conservation of Brass Instruments: Brass Instruments between Preventive Conservation and Use in Historically Informed Performance

Brass instruments have a relatively short lifespan, mainly due to corrosion. While modern instruments can be replaced when they are corroded, this is not the case with historical instruments. Those played by musicians in a context of historical performance practice may thus enjoy just a brief second life of musical use, while the instruments held in most collections and museums remain unplayed. Because they are part of the cultural heritage, they must be preserved in the best possible way. Playing them activates corrosion and is, in consequence, not intended in most collections. Here, Steiger et al examine the interior corrosion and determine measures to improve the preservation of brass instruments, both historical and modern.